Summer flowers that don’t need deadheading: 8 spectacularly blooming plants to make gardening easier

Most summer flowers need to be deadheaded, or their blooms will gradually taper off. Deadheading means removing the entire withered flower and its seed pod (not just the petals), so the plant doesn’t expend energy on producing seeds and can instead form more gorgeous blooms.

If deadheading feels like a chore, don’t worry—some summer flowers will do just fine without it! We’ve compiled this handy list for you:

Summer flowers that don’t need deadheading

1. Elf spur

The elf spur (Diascia vigilis) blooms profusely well into late autumn. It comes in shades ranging from deep red to peach, pale pink, and white. It looks stunning in a hanging basket or cascading from a tall container. Prefers sun or partial shade.

As fall approaches, the elf spur can grow impressively lush with proper fertilization.

2. Bacopa

A hanging-basket staple, the bacopa (Chaenostoma cordatum) is an easy summer flower that also does well in shade. Nowadays you can even find glorious double-flowered varieties! The best place for the bacopa is partial shade, as it doesn’t tolerate full sun.

A double bloom bacopa.

You can also find both single- and double-flowered bacopas in a pale lilac shade.

3. Creeping zinnia

The cheerful creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) comes in yellow or orange, with a center that can vary from green to brown. It prefers sun or partial shade.

4. Million bells

True to its name, the million bells blooms wonderfully lavishly. It is available in many shades and also comes in double-flowered varieties.

5. Lobelia

The lobelia (Lobelia) is often used as a companion plant in container arrangements, but you can create a fresher look by filling a pot solely with lobelia. It comes in shades of blue, white, and lilac. It prefers sun or partial shade, and the soil should never be allowed to dry out.

6. Fairy fan-flower

The cheerfully shaped flowers of the fairy fan-flower (Scaevola aemula) come in blue-purple, pink, and white. It thrives in full sun and steadily produces new blooms.

7. Graceful spurge

This enchanting cloud of blossoms called graceful spurge (Euphorbia hypericifolia) is one of the few summer flowers that also do well in shade. It’s lovely on its own or as an airy touch in multi-plant arrangements. It’s also known as chickenweed.

Graceful spurge with honeysuckle fuchsia.

8. Apache beggarticks

The Apache beggarticks (Bidens ferulifolia) will keep blooming abundantly all summer if it’s fertilized and watered regularly. It won’t tolerate dryness. You can also try overwintering the plant and taking cuttings from its new growth in spring. Its leaves are charmingly deep green.

Lindheimer’s beeblossom.

Read more: Summer flowers for the lazy waterer! These 11 charmers won’t wilt immediately if the soil dries out